Probe under way of unauthorized early exits by some Youngstown cops

YOUNGSTOWN — Concern that the South Side was without adequate police coverage in the early morning hours of June 14 is at the heart of a Youngstown Police Department internal investigation.

At issue is whether as many as four police officers took part in unauthorized early exits. The investigation focuses on two pairs of patrol partners assigned to the South Side during the overnight shift spanning June 13 and June 14.

In that time frame, three incidents on the South Side — a break-in, a stabbing and a hit-skip vehicle accident — had to be handled by officers assigned to other parts of the city.

The matter went unreported to top administrators until last Tuesday when The Vindicator filed a public records request seeking documents, audio CDs and video DVDs that show the early morning shift changes June 14. A copy of that request went to police Chief Jimmy Hughes that day.

For the complete story, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.